Press Releases
Duckworth Calls for Stronger Protections for Americans with Disabilities Amid Healthcare Debate on Senate Floor
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor today about the importance of protecting access to quality, affordable health care for people with disabilities as Senate Republicans attempt to strip health care from the disability community on the 27th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Duckworth shared the story of Jessica Baker, a young woman from Illinois whose life changed in a moment when a car crash left her in a wheelchair … Continue Reading
July 26, 2017
Duckworth Discusses Importance of Disability Rights Protections on ADA Anniversary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) at a rally today on the 27th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to address the critical importance of strengthening rather than chipping away at disability rights protections. Duckworth discussed how ADA protections have drastically improved the lives of millions of Americans - including our nation's Veterans - highlighting her … Continue Reading
July 26, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Trump Administration’s Latest Attack on Sanctuary Cities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - After the Department of Justice's latest attack on sanctuary cities, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "America is at its best when we welcome immigrants who work hard every day to build a better life for themselves and their families, but this policy takes us down a much darker path. Using law enforcement to needlessly tear families apart is unacceptable - it compromises public safety by fostering mistrust and suspicion between … Continue Reading
July 26, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Trump’s Discriminatory Announcement Blocking Transgender Soldiers from Serving in the Military
[WASHINGTON, DC] - After President Trump's tweets announcing his intention to prevent transgender soldiers from serving in the U.S. military, U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "When my Black Hawk helicopter was shot down in Iraq, I didn't care if the American troops risking their lives to help save me were gay, straight, transgender or anything else. All that mattered was they didn't leave me behind. If you are willing to risk your … Continue Reading
July 25, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Senate Vote on Trumpcare
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After Senate Republicans voted to proceed with debate on Trumpcare, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "The American people have rejected every version of Trumpcare that has been presented so it's absolutely stunning that Senate Republicans voted to move forward with a process that could rob as many as 32 million Americans of their health insurance, cause healthcare expenses for working families to skyrocket and jeopardize a … Continue Reading
July 24, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced the Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act to fix a provision in the federal law that unintentionally discourages members of the military from consolidating or refinancing pre-service student loans and taking full advantage of all student benefits provided to servicemembers. "Loan refinancing and consolidation is a practical, effective way to manage student loan debt," said Durbin. "Congress … Continue Reading
July 24, 2017
Duckworth Calls for Economic Justice, Criminal Justice Reform at NAACP National Convention
[BALTIMORE, MD] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke about the need for economic justice and criminal justice reform across the nation during her remarks at the 108th Annual NAACP National Convention's legislative panel. Duckworth highlighted the importance of supporting minority-owned businesses, making education more accessible as well as affordable and restoring trust between law enforcement and the communities they protect. A photo of the panel discussion is available … Continue Reading
July 21, 2017
Duckworth Helps Reintroduce Legislation to Increase Transparency in America’s Campaign Finance System
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and 41 other Senators to reintroduce legislation to create a more transparent federal campaign finance system by ensuring both businesses and organizations spending money in elections disclose their individual donors to the public. The Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2017 (DISCLOSE Act) would also require any company spending money in an election to … Continue Reading
July 21, 2017
Duckworth Reintroduces Bill to Reduce Recidivism Rates in Criminal Justice System
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reintroduced the Video Visitation and Inmate Calling in Prisons Act of 2017 to strengthen the nation's criminal justice system by helping families keep in touch with incarcerated family members, something studies have shown can help reduce recidivism rates and thereby save taxpayer dollars. The legislation would remove any doubt over the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) authority to regulate video visitation and inmate calling … Continue Reading
July 19, 2017
Duckworth Helps Introduce Expansion of G.I. Bill Benefits
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-MT) to introduce bipartisan legislation to expand the post-9/11 G.I. Bill and improve benefits provided to those who have served this nation in uniform-our Veterans. The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 would be the most significant expansion of G.I. benefits since the post-9/11 G.I. … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $2.5 Million In Federal Funding For Firefighter Resources
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded a total of $2,695,377 to communities across Illinois through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The AFG Program provides first-responder organizations with the access to much-needed emergency response equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, personal protective equipment and training in an effort to create safer, more … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Duckworth Meets with All Chicago Making Homelessness History to Discuss Veteran Homelessness
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with representatives from the All Chicago Making Homelessness History organization who are visiting Capitol Hill to discuss ending Veteran homelessness. A photo of the meeting can be found here. "Every American is dishonored when someone who fought for our freedom is forced to lay his or her head down to sleep on the same streets they defended," said Senator Duckworth. "I will continue working with organizations like All … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Duckworth Statement on CBO Analysis of Senate GOP Repeal without Replace Plan
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following the release of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's analysis of Senate Republicans' plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act without replacing it, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released this statement: "There are honest-to-goodness fixes to the Affordable Care Act that both Democrats and Republicans alike can support to improve our nation's healthcare system, but robbing 32 million hardworking Americans of their insurance while doubling costs … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $15 Million for Head Start Programs
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families has awarded a total of $15,138,247.00 to support Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership programs in Chicago. "This funding will help ensure that children in Chicago have access to quality public education and the tools they need to succeed at the earliest stages of development," said Duckworth. "I will … Continue Reading
July 16, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Failure of Trumpcare 3.0
[WASHINGTON, DC] - After Senate Majority Leader McConnell admitted that Senate Republicans' 3rd attempt to force millions of working Americans to pay more for less care failed and announced that he would pull their most recent Trumpcare proposal from consideration, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement: "With the country overwhelmingly against the proposal, it's no surprise the secretly-written Trumpcare plan is falling apart. Hardworking Americans shared … Continue Reading
July 16, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $24 Million for Community Health Centers Across Illinois
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a total of $24,562,393.00 to support local community health centers throughout Illinois. Community health centers are community-based organizations that improve access to affordable, high-quality health care in underserved urban and rural communities by integrating primary health care with pharmacy, mental health, substance abuse, and oral … Continue Reading
July 14, 2017
At the Rainbow PUSH Black and Brown Leadership Summit, Duckworth Calls for Greater Diversity in Politics and Economic Justice
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called for greater diversity in politics and economic justice at the Rainbow PUSH Black and Brown Leadership Summit. The Senator emphasized that far too many young people of color have their dreams and ambitions stifled by lack of hope. "We need a government that is representative of the American people," said Duckworth. "Our nation is as strong as it is because of the diversity of its people-people that come from all different … Continue Reading
July 14, 2017
Duckworth Promotes Agricultural Investments During Meeting with Illinois Soybean Association
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with leaders of the Illinois Soybean Association this week to discuss her goals for investing in agriculture and rural America, as well as the need for protecting crop insurance assistance and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Duckworth also focused on the negative impact President Trump's proposed budget cuts to rural development and agricultural programs would have on farmers. A photo of the meeting is available here. "Every … Continue Reading
July 14, 2017
Duckworth Introduces Bill to Repeal Trump Voter Suppression Executive Order
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and number of their colleagues in introducing the Anti-Voter Suppression Act to repeal President Trump's Executive Order establishing an "election integrity" commission to investigate widespread voter fraud. Duckworth has been a vocal critic of the commission's actions, including its intrusive and illegal request for personally-identifiable information on every United States voter, which they temporarily … Continue Reading
July 14, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nearly $19 Million for Head Start Programs
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families has awarded a total of $18,928,237 to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs throughout Illinois. "This funding will help ensure children across Illinois have access to the tools they need to succeed both in and outside of the classroom," said Duckworth. "I'll continue to advocate for programs … Continue Reading